A kinko kodzuka, the decorated handle of the small knife carried in a sword scabbard, worked with a bird among foliage and finished with gold and silver highlights. It is signed on the side Haru Aki, an artist listed as 1789-1859, a pupil of Yanagawa Naoharu who was also known as Shunai. The reverse carries a poem in sosho script. Listed under Japanese swords, fittings and firearms, SKU MGJ232, used.

A signed kodzuka with a recorded maker and a poem on the back is a study piece for a New Jersey collector of Japanese soft-metal work. The Yanagawa lineage noted in the listing gives a starting point for anyone who wants to research the artist, and the sosho inscription adds a second subject beyond the bird and foliage. It suits a display case, a fitted box, or a sword mounting that is missing its kodzuka. Condition details beyond the description are best judged from the photographs.

Key features

• Bird with foliage design
• Gold and silver highlights
• Signed Haru Aki (1789-1859), pupil of Yanagawa Naoharu
• Sosho poem on reverse

Ships to your door in New Jersey; no dealer transfer applies to sword fittings.